Peony plant named ‘RTPIV 849-04’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of peony plant having double red-purple flowers, a perennial herbaceous shrub, having a compact, symmetrically rounded, and vigorous growth habit, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Paeonia lactiflora x Paeonia lutea hybrid.

Denomination: ‘RTPIV 849-04’.

BACKGROUND

‘RTPIV 849-04’ is a new and distinct variety of Paeonia lactiflora xPaeonia lutea hybrid. ‘RTPIV 849-04’ originated from a controlled crossin May 2012 in France between the Paeonia lactiflora female parent ‘RedGiant’ (unpatented) and the Paeonia lutea male parent ‘Boreas’(unpatented).

The resulting seeds from the cross were collected and planted andevaluated in France. ‘RTPIV 849-04’ was selected in May 2018 from thepopulation of seedlings in France. ‘RTPIV 849-04’ was first asexuallypropagated in September 2020 in France from vegetative cuttings.

‘RTPIV 849-04’ reproduces true to type in successive generations ofasexual reproduction via vegetative cuttings.

SUMMARY

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new variety when grown under normalhorticultural practices in France.

-   -   1. Double red-purple flowers; and    -   2. A perennial herbaceous shrub, having a compact, symmetrically        rounded, and vigorous growth habit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new peony plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographswhich show the plant's overall plant habit including form, foliage, andflowers. The photographs are of a six to eight years-old plant grownoutdoors in France in May 2019. The colors shown are as true as can bereasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures.

FIG. 1 shows a close-up of a mature open flower, and the foliage of‘RTPIV 849-04’.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of an individual bud.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed descriptions set for the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘RTPIV 849-04’. The data which define thesecharacteristics were collected outdoors in France in May 2018. Theplants were six to eight years-old when the descriptions were taken.Color references are to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The RoyalHorticultural Society of London (R.H.S.) 2001, except where generalterms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Classification:    -   -   Family.—Paeoniaceae.        -   Species.—Paeonia lactiflora x Paeonia lutea hybrid.        -   Variety.—‘RTPIV 849-04’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Paeonia lactiflora female parent ‘Red Giant’            (unpatented).        -   Male parent.—Paeonia lutea male parent ‘Boreas’            (unpatented).-   Plant:    -   -   Type.—Vegetative cuttings.        -   Root description.—Fleshy storage root.        -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching storage and feeder roots.        -   Growth habit.—Perennial herbaceous shrub; compact and            symmetrically rounded; vigorous growth habit.        -   Plant height.—80.0 cm to 90.0 cm.        -   Plant width.—100.0 cm to 110.0 cm.-   Stem:    -   -   Quantity of flowers per branch.—An average of 3.        -   Length.—80.0 cm to 90.0 cm.        -   Diameter between first and 2nd leaf.—1.07 cm.        -   Internode length (highly variable).—About 10.0 cm.        -   Aspect.—Mostly upright.        -   Strength.—Strong.        -   Color.—RHS 145A (Yellow-Green).        -   Texture.—Smooth.-   Leaf:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate, biternately compound with three            primary leaflets further divided into second leaflets of            variable number and form.        -   Leaf length (including petiole).—40.0 cm.        -   Leaf width.—25.0 cm to 27.0 cm.        -   Leaflet length (central).—About 18.0 cm.        -   Leaflet width (central).—12.0 cm to 15.0 cm.        -   Leaflet shape.—Broadly elliptical, variably incised.        -   Leaflet apex.—Broadly acuminate, often with emargination.        -   Leaflet base.—Lightly corrugated.        -   Leaflet margin.—Deeply incised.        -   Leaflet texture (both upper and lower surfaces).—Smooth,            glabrous.        -   Leaflet venation pattern.—Pinnate; reticulate.        -   Leaflet color.—Upper surface: RHS 141B (Yellow-Green). Lower            surface: RHS 191B (Yellow-Green).        -   Venation color.—Upper surface: RHS 141B (Yellow-Green).            Lower surface: RHS 145B (Yellow-Green).        -   Petiole.—Length (of the 2nd leaf): About 16.0 cm. Diameter:            0.7 cm. Color: RHS 145B (Yellow-Green).-   Flower:    -   -   Flower shape, arrangement and flowering habit.—Double            flower/peduncle; flowers are terminal or axillary; flower            face is upright to outward; flowers are arranged above the            foliage.        -   Natural flower season (south-west of France).—Plants begin            flowering about 60 days after bud break in early spring.        -   Flower longevity.—Flower last about 10 to 12 days on the            plant.        -   Fragrance.—Mild.        -   Flower buds.—Length: 4.0 cm. Diameter: 3.5 cm. Shape:            Globose. Color: RHS 184D (Greyed-Purple).        -   Flowers.—Diameter: 17.0 cm to 18.0 cm. Depth: 7.0 cm to            8.0 cm. Petals: Quantity (main flower): About 70 petals with            about 90 petaloids. Length: 8.0 cm. Width: 5.0 cm. Shape:            Oblong. Apex: Slightly emarginate. Base: Fused. Margin:            Entire to slightly sinuate. Texture, upper and lower            surfaces: Smooth, glabrous. Color (both upper and lower            surfaces): RHS 67C (Red-Purple). Flare (both upper and lower            surfaces): RHS 64B (Red-Purple). Petaloids: Length: About            5.0 cm to 6.0 cm. Width: 1.5 cm. Shape and appearance:            Narrow, elongated, emarginate on the upper part. Color: RHS            67C (Red-Purple) with RHS 6D (Yellow-Cream) stripes. Sepals:            Quantity: 2 small and 3 large. Length: 4.0 cm. Width            (outer): 3.5 cm. Shape: Obcordate to obovate; cupped. Apex:            Mucronate. Margin: Rounded, slightly emarginate. Color (both            upper and lower surfaces): RHS 144C (Yellow-Green) at the            base and the upper part is nuanced with RHS 64B            (Red-Purple). Texture (both upper and lower surfaces):            Smooth. Peduncles (main bud): Length : 18.0 cm to 20.0 cm.            Diameter: 0.7 cm. Strength: Strong. Texture: Smooth,            glabrous. Color: RHS 145A (Yellow-Green).-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamen.—Quantity per flower: About 80. Filament length:            3.0 cm. Filament color: RHS 6D (Yellow). Anther shape:            Elongated and slightly curved. Anther Length : 0.5 cm to            0.6 cm. Anther color: RHS 6A (Yellow). Pollen amount:            Moderate. Pollen color: RHS 6C (Yellow).        -   Pistil.—Quantity per flower: Crown of 5 large pistils with 4            smaller pistils in the center. Length: 2.5 cm. Stigma shape:            Claw-shaped, convex. Stigma color: RHS 67A (Red-Purple).            Ovary color: RHS 142D (Green-Yellow). Ovary appearance:            Fluffy.        -   Floral disk.—Strength: Strong. Diameter: 3.0 cm. Color: RHS            145C (Green-Yellow).-   Fruit and seed set: Seed production has not been observed.-   Disease and insect resistance: Excellent resistance; but no    particular susceptibility to diseases or pests.-   Temperature tolerance: Hardy like other intersectional hybrid    peonies.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL LINES

Table 1 shows a comparison of differences between ‘RTPIV 849-04’ andboth parental lines.

TABLE 1 Comparison with Parental Lines Female parent, Male parent,Characteristic ‘RTPIV 849-04’ ‘Red Giant’ ‘Boreas’ Flower colorRed-Purple Dark red Dark burgundy-red

Table 2 shows a comparison of the differences between ‘RTPIV 849-04’ andthe commercial peony variety ‘Coral Charm’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,247).

TABLE 2 Comparison with Commercial Line Characteristic ‘RTPIV 849-04’‘Coral Charm’ Flower color Red Orange-coral

When ‘RTPIV 849-04’ is compared to ‘RTPIV 849-01’ (U.S. Plant patentapplication Ser. No. 17/340,685), ‘RTPIV 849-04’ has a plant height of80 cm to 90 cm, a stem length of 80 cm to 90 cm, and has petaloids,while ‘RTPIV 849-01’ has a plant height of 60 cm to 70 cm, a stem lengthof 60 cm to 70 cm and does not have petaloids,

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of peony plant designated ‘RTPIV849-04’ as illustrated and described herein.